Clear water with amazing visibility, tropical fish, reefs and corals, and shipwrecks, the Caribbean is one of the best snorkeling and diving destinations in the world. Islands such as St. Martin, St. John, St. Croix, and especially Antigua are all known as great diving spots. Diving in Aruba is also an amazing activity to add to your agenda. With the average water temperature at 80 degrees Fahrenheit and water visibility ranging 60 to 90 feet, conditions are perfect for Aruba diving.

Diving in Aruba is possible whether you are certified or not. For the uncertified to get trained in Aruba scuba diving, ask about beginner courses at your resort. This kind of certification requires 90 minutes of classroom and 1 hour of pool time and teaches you all you need to know to complete your first dive to 30 feet. Other certifications are available and several schools operate training courses, many running out of the resorts and others independently. Most of the large resorts, including the Hyatt, Marriott, and Divi, function as Aruba dive resorts, offering diving training and packages.

One of the best aspects of Aruba Scuba diving is the presence of shipwrecks. Over half a dozen wrecks rest off the coasts of Aruba, including the largest wreck in the Caribbean, the Antilla near the northwest tip of the island. The Antilla is a German freighter from WWII that measures 400 feet long, and is now covered in marine life. Other popular wrecks include the Jane Sea and the fuselage of a Convair 400 plane. Aruba dive sites dot almost the entire western and southern coasts of the island. Other than wreck diving, diving in Aruba is popular for the fantastic and colorful sea life here and for the reefs off the shore. Night diving is also popular and gives a whole new perspective to the sea.

If maybe all out Scuba diving seems a bit much for you, another form of Aruba diving is the much simpler snorkeling. Put on a snorkel and mask and swim out from the shore, no training required. Water can be choppy sometimes, so calmer beaches are much easier for snorklers and include Malmok Beach and Boca Catalina.

There are also more inventive ways to get into Aruba diving. Snuba is one and requires breathing through a tube running to a tank at the surface. Other than navigating the tube and other divers with you, this can be fun for anyone wanting to go underwater a bit without getting certified. Another option for those who find snorkeling or Scuba just way to peaceful is power snorkeling. Viewing sea life is not a big priority for this newer water sport as you zoom through the water with a jet pack. Make sure to wear a secure swimsuit.

Whether you are interested in Aruba scuba diving, snorkeling, snuba, or power snorkeling, getting out into the water is one of the best ways to appreciate Aruba. Sealife, shipwrecks, warm water, and sun make for a day you'll never forget. And if after all of this, water is just not your thing, Aruba is also a great place to golf or take a tour.